Panasonic FZ2000 vs Zeiss ZX1

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 (called Panasonic FZ2500 in some regions) and the Zeiss ZX1 are two digital cameras that were officially introduced, respectively,
in September 2016 and September 2018. Both the FZ2000 and the ZX1 are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an one-inch (FZ2000) and a full frame (ZX1) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 20 megapixels, whereas the Zeiss provides 37.4 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 and the
Zeiss ZX1? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors,
their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Panasonic FZ2000 vs Zeiss ZX1

The side-by-side display below illustrates the physical size and weight of the Panasonic FZ2000 and the Zeiss ZX1. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size,
the Zeiss ZX1 is notably smaller (6 percent) than the Panasonic FZ2000. Moreover, the ZX1 is markedly lighter (13 percent) than the FZ2000. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the FZ2000 nor the ZX1 are weather-sealed.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left
comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and
choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will naturally be influenced heavily by the price. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The FZ2000 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 71 percent) than the ZX1, which puts it into a different market segment. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison: Panasonic FZ2000 vs Zeiss ZX1

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic FZ2000 features an one-inch sensor and the Zeiss ZX1
a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the ZX1 is 645 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.7 and 1.0. Both cameras have a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 3:2.

With 37.4MP, the ZX1 offers a higher
resolution than the FZ2000 (20MP), but the ZX1 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of
4.81μm versus 2.41μm for the FZ2000) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the ZX1 is a much more recent model (by 2 years) than the FZ2000, and its sensor
will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 125 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 80-25600.
The corresponding ISO settings for the Zeiss ZX1 are ISO 80 to ISO 51200 (no boost).

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

Camera Model

Sensor Class

Resolution (MP)

Horiz. Pixels

Vert. Pixels

Video Format

DXO Portrait

DXO Landscape

DXO Sports

DXO Overall

Camera Model

Panasonic FZ2000»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic FZ2000

Zeiss ZX1«

Full Frame

37.4

7488

4992

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Zeiss ZX1

Fujifilm X100F«»

APS-C

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

-

-

-

-

Fujifilm X100F

Kodak AZ901«»

1/2.3

20.2

5184

3888

1080/30p

-

-

-

-

Kodak AZ901

Leica Q2«»

Full Frame

46.7

8368

5584

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Leica Q2

Leica M10«»

Full Frame

23.8

5952

3992

-

24.4

13.2

2133

86

Leica M10

Leica Q Typ 116«»

Full Frame

24.0

6000

4000

1080/60p

24.3

12.7

2221

85

Leica Q Typ 116

Leica V-LUX Typ 114«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Leica V-LUX Typ 114

Panasonic FZ1000 II«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic LX100 II«»

Four Thirds

16.8

4736

3552

4K/30p

-

-

-

-

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic TZ90«»

1/2.3

20.2

5184

3888

4K/30p

19.1

10.6

106

36

Panasonic TZ90

Panasonic FZ1000«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.1

11.7

517

64

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX100 V«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.8

12.4

586

70

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX1R II«»

Full Frame

42.2

7952

5304

1080/60p

25.8

13.9

3204

97

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX10 II«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

23.0

12.6

531

70

Sony RX10 II

Sony RX100 IV«»

1-inch

20.0

5472

3648

4K/30p

22.8

12.6

591

70

Sony RX100 IV

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (4K/30p).

Feature comparison: Panasonic FZ2000 vs Zeiss ZX1

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The two cameras under review are similar with respect to both having an electronic viewfinder.
However, the one in the ZX1 offers a substantially higher resolution than the one in the FZ2000 (6221k vs 2360k dots). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Panasonic FZ2000 and Zeiss ZX1 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

Camera Model

Viewfinder (Type or '000 dots)

Control Panel (yes/no)

LCD Size (inch)

LCD Resolution ('000 dots)

LCD Attach- ment

Touch Screen (yes/no)

Mech Shutter Speed

Shutter Flaps (1/sec)

Built-in Flash (yes/no)

Built-in Image Stab

Camera Model

Panasonic FZ2000»

2360

n

3.0

1040

swivel

Y

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Panasonic FZ2000

Zeiss ZX1«

6221

n

4.3

2765

fixed

Y

1/1000s

3.0

n

n

Zeiss ZX1

Fujifilm X100F«»

2360

n

3.0

1040

fixed

n

1/4000s

8.0

Y

n

Fujifilm X100F

Kodak AZ901«»

202

n

3.0

920

swivel

n

1/2000s

5.0

Y

Y

Kodak AZ901

Leica Q2«»

3680

n

3.0

1040

fixed

Y

1/2000s

20.0

n

Y

Leica Q2

Leica M10«»

optical

n

3.0

1037

fixed

n

1/4000s

5.0

n

n

Leica M10

Leica Q Typ 116«»

3680

n

3.0

1040

fixed

Y

1/2000s

10.0

n

Y

Leica Q Typ 116

Leica V-LUX Typ 114«»

2359

n

3.0

921

swivel

n

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Leica V-LUX Typ 114

Panasonic FZ1000 II«»

2360

n

3.0

1240

swivel

Y

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic LX100 II«»

2764

n

3.0

1240

fixed

Y

1/4000s

11.0

n

Y

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic TZ90«»

1166

n

3.0

1040

tilting

Y

1/2000s

10.0

Y

Y

Panasonic TZ90

Panasonic FZ1000«»

2359

n

3.0

921

swivel

n

1/4000s

12.0

Y

Y

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX100 V«»

2359

n

3.0

1229

tilting

n

1/2000s

24.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX1R II«»

2360

n

3.0

1229

tilting

n

1/4000s

5.0

n

n

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX10 II«»

2359

Y

3.0

1229

tilting

n

1/3200s

14.0

Y

Y

Sony RX10 II

Sony RX100 IV«»

2359

n

3.0

1228

tilting

n

1/2000s

16.0

Y

Y

Sony RX100 IV

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The FZ2000 has one, while the ZX1 does not.
While the built-in flash of the FZ2000 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The FZ2000 has an articulated LCD that can be turned to be front-facing. This characteristic will be appreciated by
vloggers and photographers who are interested in snapping selfies. In contrast, the ZX1 does not have a selfie-screen.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while
others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, both cameras under consideration feature
an electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or
shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic FZ2000 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to
capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The FZ2000 is equipped with a zoom lens, while the ZX1 comes with a built-in prime. The FZ2000 has a 24-480mm f/2.8-4.5 optic and the ZX1 offers a 35mm f/2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the Panasonic provides a wider angle of view at the short end, as well as more tele-photo reach at the long end than the Zeiss. Both cameras offer the same maximum aperture.

The FZ2000 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the ZX1 uses an internal SSD.

Connectivity comparison: Panasonic FZ2000 vs Zeiss ZX1

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000 and Zeiss ZX1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

Camera Model

Hotshoe Port

Internal Microphone

Internal Speaker

Microphone Port

Headphone Port

HDMI Port

USB Type

WiFi Support

NFC Support

Bluetooth Support

Camera Model

Panasonic FZ2000»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic FZ2000

Zeiss ZX1«

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

-

3.1

Y

Y

Y

Zeiss ZX1

Fujifilm X100F«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Fujifilm X100F

Kodak AZ901«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Kodak AZ901

Leica Q2«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

-

-

Y

-

Y

Leica Q2

Leica M10«»

Y

-

-

-

-

-

-

Y

-

-

Leica M10

Leica Q Typ 116«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Leica Q Typ 116

Leica V-LUX Typ 114«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Leica V-LUX Typ 114

Panasonic FZ1000 II«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

Y

Panasonic FZ1000 II

Panasonic LX100 II«»

Y

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

Y

Panasonic LX100 II

Panasonic TZ90«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

-

-

Panasonic TZ90

Panasonic FZ1000«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX100 V«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 V

Sony RX1R II«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX10 II«»

Y

stereo

mono

Y

Y

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX10 II

Sony RX100 IV«»

-

stereo

mono

-

-

micro

2.0

Y

Y

-

Sony RX100 IV

It is notable that the FZ2000 has a microphone port, which is missing on the ZX1.
Such an external microphone input can help to substantially improve the quality of audio recordings when a good external microphone is used.

Both the FZ2000 and the ZX1 are recent models that are part of the current product line-up. The FZ2000 replaced the earlier Panasonic FZ1000, while the ZX1 does not have a direct predecessor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official
Panasonic and Zeiss websites.

Review summary: Panasonic FZ2000 vs Zeiss ZX1

So how do things add up? Is the Panasonic FZ2000 better than the Zeiss ZX1 or vice versa? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2000:

Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.

Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.

More flexible LCD: Has swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.

More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.

More prestigious: Has the Zeiss luxury appeal, which ensures a high resale value.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the ZX1 emerges as the winner of the match-up (13 : 11 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional sports photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges
from the perspective of a street photog, and a person interested in family portraits has distinct needs from a landscape shooter. Hence, the decision which camera
is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

FZ2000 11:13 ZX1

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic FZ2000 and the Zeiss ZX1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest
Best Superzoom Camera and Best Prime Lens Compact Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the FZ2000 and the ZX1 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews: Panasonic FZ2000 vs Zeiss ZX1

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, and photographyblog). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge,
reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

Other camera comparisons

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